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What is Universal Health Coverage?

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is the idea that everyone can access quality essential healthcare services without suffering financial hardship. Its goal is for everyone to have access to a full range of essential health services, including promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative care, based on need and not on ability to pay.

High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage

On 23rd September 2019, a High-Level Meeting on UHC was held at the United Nations General Assembly, co-facilitated by the Permanent Representatives of Georgia and Thailand. This meeting brought together heads of state, political and health leaders, policymakers, and UHC champions to advocate for health for all.

The meeting was a significant achievement in securing financial and political commitments from countries to sustain health investments, resulting in a political declaration on UHC, negotiated by Member States and endorsed by Heads of State. It focused on accelerating progress towards UHC, including access to essential health services, a skilled health workforce, financial risk protection and access to safe, quality, effective and affordable medicines and vaccines for all.

Action for Global Health and UHC

The High-Level Meeting was a unique opportunity to galvanise global commitment and action to accelerate progress towards UHC globally. Action for Global Health is now continuing to advocate for the UK Government to play a leading role as a strong voice and champion of UHC, particularly as a nation with decades of experience delivering publicly-funded healthcare which is free at the point of use.

We are also continuing to work in partnership with the Civil Society Engagement Mechanism (CSEM) for UHC2030 to advocate for UHC at the global level, through our Coordinator’s role on the CSEM Advisory Group.

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